What terms and phrases are generally used in the context of observations made of a car starting (or attempting to) and what's the difference between them? I can think of:

The clicking sound (not sure what that's called).

Crank

Turn over (I think that means the same thing as crank? Or is it referring to the moment it moves beyond the attempts and actually starts? Car won't crank, turn over, or start is a good example of a question title where confusion may be present.)

To clarify - the term "crank" comes from the days before electric starters, when people would use a crank-shaped handle to turn over the engine in order to start it manually.
– Nick C♦Mar 30 '17 at 15:20

3

I like this answer. We gave up trying to get car owners to describe this problem with words. We now ask for a cell phone video of the dash instruments during a start attempt.
– Fred WilsonMar 30 '17 at 19:40

Agree on everything but "Turn over". Turn over to me is synonymous to start. In fact, your 3rd to last bullet point when you mention "turns over fine" to me that means, "starts fine". Anyway, it would definitely help if everyone was "on the same page" :).
– goku_da_masterMar 6 '18 at 18:30

I'll disagree, of course its all a matter of opinion but my experience folks say turning over specifically to describe a not-starting condition. Essentially synonymous with "cranking", although perhaps cranking slowly as in "barely turning over".
– agentpMar 31 '17 at 19:38